Improving Lives With Golf

The game of golf gives back in a myriad of ways.  For individuals it can be a relaxation tool, healing tool, or something to satisfy their competitive drive.  Companies use the game to reward employees through tournaments (usually equates to a paid day off) or providing golf trips as incentives.  One of the most visible ways golf gives back is through charitable contributions.  These contributions come from a wide variety of angles.  Some charities use golf as a way to raise money through fundraising tournaments and the accompanying auctions.  Other charities are focused on golf and what it can do for those involved with the game.  A perfect example of this is PGA Professional Jim Estes and his Salute Military Golf Association (https://www.smga.org/).

At Ranken Jordan the golf program is used multiple ways.  As I regularly discuss on this blog it is obviously a healing tool for the kids.  Whether the game is incorporated into their actual therapy, it is a reward for completing their therapy or schoolwork, or it is simply a fun diversion for the kids while they're at the hospital, the game helps them get better.  Golf is also used to help raise awareness of the hospital and the incredible work done there.  What better way to illustrate their "care beyond the bedside" model than to talk about and show pictures of the kids playing golf?!?!

Yesterday on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio, Will Haskett (http://willhaskett.com/) focused 2 hours of his show on giving through golf.  During his show he was kind enough to mention the junior golf program at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.  Stealing Will's idea, I want to highlight a few different charities or events that use golf to do incredible work.

Folds of Honor Foundation (https://www.foldsofhonor.org/):  When you stand together with Major Dan Rooney, Major Ed Pulido, and the entire Folds of Honor Family, you help provide scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in service to America.

PGA REACH (http://www.gatewaypga.org/pgareach):  Founded locally by the Gateway PGA Foundation, the PGA of America, and the St. Louis golf community, PGA REACH secures, supports, and extends the reach of proven local organizations which offer focused activities to youth in the St. Louis area.

Brian Gay Invitational (http://briangayinvitational.org/):  The Brian Gay Invitational presented by Diamond Resorts International® is a best in class celebrity/amateur golf tournament that returned to Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club in Celebration, Florida on December 12-14, 2014.  Last Year $410,000 was raised for The Walt Disney Pavilion at the Florida Hospital for Children (FHFC) in Orlando, Florida to support the hospital in its vital life-saving mission.

Birdies for the Brave (http://birdiesforthebrave.org/):  Birdies for the Brave was originally created in 2006 by PGA TOUR player, Phil Mickelson, and his wife, Amy, to support combat-wounded veterans.  The PGA TOUR subsequently adopted the program, and expanded it to include a wide variety of military outreach and appreciation activities during PGA TOUR events, as well as a seriers of fundraising events conducted at the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Players Clubs (TPCs) and partner courses across the nation – an effort that has raised more than $11 million for non-profit military homefront groups that are supported by PGA TOUR players, which provide direct support to military members, veterans, and their families ranging from financial aid, rehabilitation services, counseling and housing to educational scholarships and career development.

Hi5 Sports (http://www.hi5sports.org/):   Hi5 Sports is based in Clifton Park N.Y. and provides an environment which allows people with special needs to build self-esteem, confidence, and friendships through sports by providing opportunities to socialize, compete, and exercise both their motor and life skills.

The First Tee (http://www.thefirsttee.org/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp):   The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people. Through after school and in school programs, they help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf. 

Obviously these charities are a very small sampling of ways golf can and does give back.  The PGA Tour alone has raised in excess of $2 billion for charity.  Chances are any charity or cause that is close to your heart has been helped in some way by the game of golf.  When I repeatedly say in various posts on this blog that golf improves lives and is a healing tool, these charities are prime examples of that.  The game heals in many ways and touches lives in ways that many would not suspect.  As you are making your New Year's resolutions why not include one that has you getting more involved with a charitable golf tournament or event.  After all, there are worse ways to spend a day than at a golf course enjoying the sunshine and helping others at the same time!

Skipping the Mall

It is that time of year again when everybody starts rushing around frantically trying to find the perfect present for each person on their holiday shopping list.  Go anywhere near a shopping mall and you are certain to hear the joyous sounds of the season:  car horns blaring, tires screeching, and the angry yelling of words not suitable for this blog.  Occasionally you will see a different response when someone steals a parking spot or takes the last hot item off the shelf as a shopper will offer a one-finger salute to the other shopper proving just how much they care about the other person.  Every year many people promise themselves that they will avoid these situations, not deal with the crowds the following year, and will get their shopping done early.  the next thing they know Thanksgiving is here and they have yet to begin even thinking about who will get what gift.

Even though my mind is constantly in motion trying to come up with ways to improve the junior golf program at Ranken Jordan, it really kicks into another gear (no comments from the peanut gallery, please) during the holiday season.  Given that the average length of stay at Ranken Jordan is approximately 42 days we have our "regular" junior golfers who always make it for golf every Wednesday morning.  During the winter months we have even added an additional day each week and these "regulars" happily make it to the lesson tee on Saturday mornings as well.  In spending time with the kids on multiple days every week it becomes very clear that many of the kids would like to continue playing golf when the leave the hospital and go home.  Through our golf program they have been introduced to and shown a sport that they can play and enjoy while at the same time benefit therapeutically.  The question becomes how do we make it possible for the kids to keep playing golf when they go home?

One thing that golf professionals are good at doing is networking amongst our peers.  Our advice is constantly sought from members or regular players about where they should go on their next golf trip or what would be a good course to play on a business trip.  It always helps when we can pick up the phone and call a fellow PGA Professional and make planning a bit easier for the golfer asking our advice.  This is also a way that I keep our junior golfers playing when they leave the hospital.  Those who are interested in continuing to develop their games are put in touch with a local PGA Professional who will gladly provide instruction and help the junior golfer to the best of their ability.  However we also have some kids who will have great difficulty getting to a local golf course to continue playing.  How do we keep a club in their hands and a smile on their face after they go home?  Many of the kids will go home with a putter, indoor putting green, and golf balls, so they can at least work on their putting stroke anytime they want to.  During this holiday season do you want to give a gift that is guaranteed to not be returned and accepted with an ear-to-ear smile?  It can certainly happen.  Use the e-mail address at the top of the page to contact me and I will tell you how you can do just that.

While I am always grateful beyond words to be able to teach golf to the kids at Ranken Jordan on a weekly basis, it becomes even more special at this time of year.  Having the opportunity to put a smile on their face during the holiday season is a very special feeling.  Throughout the year I will occasionally get e-mails or text messages from our junior golfers after they go home saying "thank you" or letting me know how they are doing with golf.  Oftentimes as I read their words or watch the thank you video that has been texted to me I have to close the door to my office until the tears dry up.  It is truly amazing what can be done with a stick, a ball, and a cup.  As I mentioned above, should you want to learn more about how you can help provide so much happiness to our junior golfers, e-mail me at kcornpga@gmail.com.  Trust me when I tell you there is no greater feeling than helping a child achieve that level of pure joy that we see so often in our junior golf program.  To quote my late mother's favorite song, "Thank God for Kids."